"When I think of the library of Alexandria and of the fact that, although it burnt down, people continue to sort the letters of the alphabet according to that tradition, then that makes certain expressions of modernity, even of interventions on the textual level, possible"

In this quote, Alexander Kluge reviews the enduring tradition of the library of Alexandria, which notoriously burned down in ancient times. In spite of its destruction, Kluge keeps in mind that individuals still arrange and classify information utilizing the exact same alphabet system that was used in the library. This connection enables contemporary expressions and interventions in text to be possible. Kluge suggests that the conservation of this tradition permits a connection in between the past and present, and enables us to build on the understanding and advancements of those who came before us. It highlights the importance of protecting history and custom in order to progress and innovate in the future.